Family Time

…in Maine

Time seems to stop at the lake. The eagles float across a cloudless blue sky, the loons chatter in the distance, and the lake laps gently against the rocky shore. I swing in a rope hammock, eat fresh-baked blueberry pie, and watch the sun rise and set without a schedule. This is how I’ve spent my July and I’m grateful for this special place that has become a second home to me.

We’ve had some wonderful family gatherings this summer. My mother-in-law celebrated her 90^th birthday with family near and far. Ice cream and pie were menu highlights. Our children came to visit us from Brooklyn and Salt Lake City. They both have fond memories of spending a couple of weeks here each summer when they were growing up, and love coming back. We went to a fun dinner in Portland with our daughter, and my husband and son hiked Mount LaFayette in New Hampshire. It was great seeing everyone!

My husband and I were able to slow down too. He did a lot of weed-whacking and clearing of overgrown bushes and trees on our property. I read a ton and made summer meals with fresh native vegetables, like sweet corn and peas. I even planted some lupine and mint in the garden. We kayaked and took long boat rides together.

I also got a chance to work on my next novel. I plan to write a third one, titled Blue Silk. It continues the story of the family in my first two novels in the US. It is also inspired by my family. I will send a synopsis and first few chapters to my agent soon. I hope she likes it!

RED SEAL Early Reviews

Early reviewers are loving Red Seal!

Here are a few rave reviews so far:

“Rosa Kwon Easton does it again! Another one of her books I couldn’t put down. I was so excited once I finished White Mulberry to see that she was writing a sequel. And it exceeded my expectations. Not only did the dual perspective add another dimension to the story, but the different ages of each POV navigating the war was an incredible contrast. I would love to see a third book about this family some day.”

“I really loved this book and appreciate the way Kwon Easton depicted the complexity of years in Korea from WWII to the end of the Korean War. The interchanging points of view kept the story going at a fast pace and with all the different moves that Miyoung and Soonho made over the years, it was easy for the reader to follow. I cannot wait for the next book in this series!”

“I wasn’t expecting this book to affect me the way it did. Red Seal is one of those books that slowly breaks your heart. It isn’t an easy or fast paced read, but it’s a deeply emotional story about survival, identity, motherhood and sacrifice.”

If you want to request to read an early digital copy, you can sign up for free on NetGalley. I would appreciate if you leave a review there.

And please preorder Red Seal now wherever books are sold! I would love it if you could place your order today to create buzz and momentum.

Upcoming Virtual Events

You can join me for the following two events from anywhere and they’re both free!

I will be speaking about White Mulberry at the Westbury Memorial Public Library virtual event on August 11. Register here.

If you want to hear me do a pitch about Red Seal, sign up here for a fun and engaging virtual PitchFest to be held on August 27. Fifteen NYT Bestselling and Book Club Favorite authors will be talking about their recently published or upcoming books. There will be book giveaways!

In-Person Events

Can you believe Red Seal is launching in two short months, on October 6, 2026? White Mulberry was published on December 1, 2024, less than two years ago. What a wild ride it’s been!

My first event will be a pub-day eve launch event at {Pages} bookstore in Manhattan Beach on Monday, October 5^th. I’m thrilled that it will be held at the same location where I held the launch of White Mulberry. I’m so honored to be in conversation with C.L. Max Nikias, President Emeritus of the University of Southern California, who has just published a memoir about his immigrant experience and his rise in education. I hope you will be able to join us!

On launch day October 6, I’ll be in San Diego for an event with author Jacqueline Friedland at Coronado Library. I’m sure we will talk about motherhood, which is a central theme in both our novels. Please check out Jackie’s book!

On Tuesday, October 13, I will be in conversation with novelist Lisa Lee at Chevalier’s Books in Larchmont, the oldest bookstore in LA. The Korean Cultural Center of LA is co-sponsoring the event. I recommended Lisa’s book in one of my recent newsletters!

Then I’m headed to NYC and Boston for more events later in October. You can find out more on my Events Page.

It’s going to be a busy fall, so I am enjoying my last few days in gorgeous Maine.

How is your summer going? Please let me know! I always love hearing from you.

Thank you for following along!

Here’s a link to my previous Journey posts. If you haven’t done so already, please subscribe to my newsletter and share with a friend.

I would be happy to speak at your book club or organization. Simply respond to this email and I will get right back to you!

What I’m Reading

THE YOUNG WILL REMEMBER by Eve J. Chung

Eve will be my conversation partner in NYC and her novel is fantastic. It covers the same period as Red Seal from a female journalist’s point of view.

A sweeping novel about a correspondent trapped behind enemy lines during the Korean War, and the women who help her find her way home, from the national bestselling author of Daughters of Shandong.

Moving and triumphant, The Young Will Remember sheds light on a “Forgotten War,” the resilience of love within our darkest histories, and the indefatigable determination of mothers to protect their children.